142 
NATURAL HISTOEY OP SELBOENE. 
completely supplies his family the year round, since working people 
burn no candles in the long days, because they rise and go to bed by 
daylight. 
Little farmers use rushes much in the short days both morning and 
evening, in the dairy and kitchen ; but the very poor, who are always 
the worst economists, and therefore must continue very poor, buy a 
halfpenny candle every evening, which in their blowing open rooms, 
does not burn much more than two hours. Thus have they only two 
hours light for their money instead of eleven. 
While on the subject of rural economy, it may not be improper to 
mention a pretty implement of housewifery that we have seen nowhere 
else ; that is, little neat besoms which our foresters make from the 
stalks of the polytricum commune, or great golden maiden hair, which 
they call silk-wood, and find plenty in the bogs.* When this moss is 
well combed and dressed, and divested of its outer skin, it becomes of 
a beautiful bright-chesnut colour; and, being soft and pliant, is very 
proper for the dusting of beds, curtains, carpets, hangings, &c. If 
these besoms were known to the brush-makers in town, it is probable 
they might come much in use for the purpose above-mentioned.f 
I am, &c. 
* Or in Scotland, Unci, where it is commonly used for besoms, making an 
excellent implement ; also plaited into door-mats for the feet, 
t A besom of this sort is to be seen in iSir Ashton Lever's Museum. 
RUSH-HOLDER. 
